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Cuban
Doctors Feel Insecure Commissioner Soma Jobe Warns
Chris George, Banjul. The Independent.
Posted on August 25, 2003. AllAfrica.com.
The Commissioner of the North Bank Division was
recently quoted as expressing disquiet over the
knowledge that the Cuban doctors posted in his
division no longer feel secured after a spate
of thefts that left them deprived of their valuables
and fearing for their lives.
According to Modou Soma Jobe the Cuban expatriates
apart from expressing disappointment over such
thefts, have made their feelings known to him
about their sense of insecurity in the area.
Commissioner Jobe appealed to the health authorities
to provide the doctors with security to enable
them execute their jobs effectively without being
disrupted by a sense of insecurity caused by the
spate of theft to which they were the sole victims.
Commissioner Jobe expressed disappointment over
the thefts, which he said demonstrate bad spirit
with the Cuban expatriates who have gone there
to help the people of his district. He vowed that
his office in collaboration with the police is
working hard to bring the suspects to book and
prevent such thefts in the future.
"In fact, we are being assisted by the suspects
of the previous case" he revealed.
Meanwhile police in Kerewan, North Bank Division
are investigating the latest theft involving $500.00
plus D750.00, which was allegedly stolen from
the residence of two Cuban doctors posted in that
community.
The incident which happened recently has provoked
the authorities there to summon a meeting with
the community's council of elders and vigilante
groups to bring an end "the rampant thefts"
in that area for which the Cuban doctors have
bore the brunt.
According to confirmed reports this is the second
time that the Cuban doctors have been robbed of
their valuables. The first was after the arrival
of the first batch of Cuban doctors there two
years ago.
However, those suspected were apprehended and
later released.
A native of Kerewan has said his people should
be grateful to the Cubans for the unflinching
support they are giving the health sector. He
warned that such tendencies could discourage other
from coming here.
Meanwhile the Department of State for Health
and social Welfare and the Cuban Embassy in Banjul
have been officially informed about the incident.
Efforts to talk to the Cuban doctors proved futile
as they were on weekends in Farafenni. The Police
have also confirmed the incident. Up to press
time the suspects were not apprehended.
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